Platform assembly for a ground engaging tool

Abstract

A platform assembly for a ground engaging tool contains a platform that establishes a single substantially planar support surface, at least one pivot joint that is coupled to the platform to facilitate its rotation between a lowered and raised position and that is coupled to the ground engaging tool. The platform supports an object above the ground engaging components of the ground engaging tool while the platform is in the lowered position, and the platform facilitates access to the ground engagement components of the ground engaging tool while the platform is in the raised position.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a platform configured to establish a single substantially planar support surface; 
 at least one pivot joint coupled to the platform, wherein the at least one pivot joint is configured to facilitate rotation of the platform between a lowered position and a raised position; and 
 a beam member, wherein the beam member supports ground engaging components of the ground engaging tool, and the beam member is configured to block downward rotation of the platform while the platform is in the lowered position; 
 wherein the platform is configured to support an object above the ground engaging components while the platform is in the lowered position, and the platform is configured to facilitate access to the ground engagement components while the platform is in the raised position. 
 
     
     
       2. The ground engaging tool of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pivot joint comprises a first pivot joint positioned on a first lateral side of the platform and a second pivot joint positioned on a second lateral side of the platform, opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
       3. The ground engaging tool of  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a plurality of supports spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
       4. The ground engaging tool of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of supports extends in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the ground engaging tool. 
     
     
       5. The ground engaging tool of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the plurality of supports includes a plurality of protrusions that form the single substantially planar support surface. 
     
     
       6. The ground engaging tool of  claim 1 , comprising a locking mechanism configured to selectively block rotation of the platform while the platform is in the raised position, the lowered position, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       7. The ground engaging tool of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage at least one opening in a frame of the ground engaging tool. 
     
     
       8. The ground engaging tool of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a slot in the platform and a recess extending from the slot, wherein an end of the pin is rotatable into the recess to block the pin from engaging the at least one opening to enable the platform to rotate about the at least one pivot joint. 
     
     
       9. The ground engaging tool of  claim 1 , comprising a bracket positioned on the beam member, wherein the bracket is configured to support the platform on the beam member while the platform is in the lowered position. 
     
     
       10. A ground engaging tool, comprising:
 a plurality of platforms, wherein each of the plurality of platforms is configured to establish a respective single substantially planar support surface; 
 a plurality of pivot joints, wherein at least one pivot joint of the plurality of pivot joints is coupled to a respective platform of the plurality of platforms, wherein the at least one pivot joint is configured to facilitate rotation of the respective platform between a lowered position and a raised position; and 
 a beam member, wherein the beam member supports ground engaging components of the ground engaging tool, and the beam member is configured to block downward rotation of the respective platform while the respective platform is in the lowered position; 
 wherein each platform of the plurality of platforms is configured to support at least one respective object above the ground engaging components while the platform is in the lowered position, and the platform is configured to facilitate access to the ground engagement components while the platform is in the raised position. 
 
     
     
       11. The ground engaging tool of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one pivot joint comprises a first pivot joint positioned on a first lateral side of the respective platform and a second pivot joint positioned on a second lateral side of the respective platform, opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
       12. The ground engaging tool of  claim 10 , wherein at least one platform of the plurality of platforms comprises a plurality of supports spaced apart from one another. 
     
     
       13. The ground engaging tool of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the plurality of supports extends in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the ground engaging tool. 
     
     
       14. The ground engaging tool of  claim 10 , comprising at least one locking mechanism configured to selectively block rotation of at least one platform of the plurality of platforms while the at least one platform is in the raised position, the lowered position, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       15. The ground engaging tool of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a pin configured to engage at least one opening in a frame of the ground engaging tool. 
     
     
       16. The ground engaging tool of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a spring configured to urge the pin into the at least one opening. 
     
     
       17. The ground engaging tool of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one locking mechanism comprises a slot in the at least one platform and a recess extending from the slot, wherein an end of the pin is rotatable into the recess to block the pin from engaging the at least one opening. 
     
     
       18. A ground engaging tool for a work vehicle, comprising:
 a platform formed from a plurality of support members collectively having a plurality of protrusions, wherein the heights of the plurality of protrusions relative to a base plane of the platform are substantially equal to one another; 
 at least one pivot joint configured to facilitate rotation of the platform between a lowered position and a raised position; and 
 a beam member, wherein the beam member supports ground engaging components of the ground engaging tool, and the beam member is configured to block downward rotation of the platform while the platform is in the lowered position; 
 wherein the platform is configured to support an object above the ground engaging components while the platform is in the lowered position, and the platform is configured to facilitate access to the ground engagement components of the while the platform is in the raised position. 
 
     
     
       19. The ground engaging tool of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of support members extends in a lateral direction relative to a direction of travel of the work vehicle.